ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS JANUARY 25-31, 2004 All times/dates are PST. I've received waves of emails asking when the 2004 Love Forecast will be available. It will be in the Vancouver Courier newspaper near Valentine's Day, and on the web site a little later... I mentioned awhile ago that many members of the "baby boomer" generation might soon opt to live in relative poverty during retirement rather than try (from this point forth) to work and save for retirement. Recent stats from the U.S. Fed show that the number of people out of work six months or longer - a generally accepted "border time" between those actively looking for work and those becoming resigned to not finding work - is the highest in 20 years. The boomer generation is saying No to stress... LEOS and AQUARIANS often bristle with "raw energy." But Aquarius is more serious and brusque, while Leo is warm and sunny. Aquarius can be awkward, while Leo always remembers to walk and gesture with poise. Aquarius ponders great thoughts and might forget where you live, or his wife's name. Leo is alert, romantic, never forgets a birthday - and expects the same. But Leo can lose his temper (particularly if you criticize or ignore him). Aquarius, on the other hand, maintains a kind, gentle demeanor no matter what emotions fly around him. Aquarius simply doesn't care about such petty things as sentiment and display, when there are real issues to grapple with. Leo wants to express the heart's vast, deep feelings. Aquarius wants to save the world from child slavery. One gives a roar of self-expression; the other contributes crisp, cool (and sometimes ruthless) thinking power. It's hard to choose between these signs. But you might never have to, because Leo and Aquarius often choose each other. Leo's warm fire loves Aquarius' cool kindness. ARIES burns energy, is always going here and there mentally or physically, and loves to "push" people. (They make up for this by having a good sense of humor - though CANCER and CAPRICORN often don't appreciate the joke.) LIBRA seems to be the ultimate unrushed, mellow sign. These people look as calm as a bag of flour, even when they're churning and racing inside. Their careful delay on every question drives impatient Aries wild. Aries thinks, "How can this person ever get anything done?" But Libra accomplishes things by receptivity and attraction, by tweaking small key elements to change a larger situation. In the end, Libra and Aries marry - the fiery one and the cool one. Libra loves Aries' headstrong, woolly humor, and Aries finally throws up his/her hands and accepts that Libra's just too clever to be ignored. Start Nothing: 3:09 a.m. to 7:06 p.m. Sun., 8:59 p.m. Tues. to 4:46 a.m. Wed., and 6:04 p.m. Thurs. to 5:18 p.m. Fri. Aries March 21-April 19 Your hopes soar this week! You see far, want a lot, and feel your spirits rise! Sunday's mildly uneventful. Take care with a "reluctant" family member or property matter Mon day (morning) - after this, Monday/Tuesday offer "destined" events around far travel, law, higher education, or a ritual such as a wedding. Ask favors - reasonable ones will be granted! Dig deep - valuable things lie under the surface. Chase money Wednesday/Thursday - your luck's high in earning and spending. An employment opportunity awaits the friendly. Short trips, casual friends pique your curiosity Saturday. Taurus April 20-May 20 The emphasis (this week and the next few) lies on your career, community status, parental role, and relations with VIPs. This entire area grows calmer, easier for the decade ahead. But you'll still need realism and empathy - these keep you from following an "ambitious illusion." You're hopeful and friendly Sunday, but retreat Monday/Tuesday - rest, plan your campaign, seek spiritual/psychological resolutions. Your energy and charisma soar Wednesday/Thursday - show off your abilities, chase grand success and big opportunities! Be ambitious, loving and romantic, too! Money is unpredictable, stressful Friday, successful Saturday. Gemini May 21-June 20 Happiness and wisdom, mellowness and distance mingle. Your view broadens, your capacity for love increases. Law, culture, higher education, media/publishing, intellect, far travel, foreign people - these intrigue you. For the next seven years, your abilities in these areas will determine your career success. This week is a perfect time to view your future - see it in the context of your whole life. Your best "vision" occurs Tuesday to Saturday. Social delights fill the early week. Rest, contemplate, be alone Wednesday-Friday. Your energy and inspiration surge Saturday - start something, seek success! Cancer June 21-July 22 The month ahead holds secrets, mysteries and depths. Dive into these, research, investigate. You'll find some answers, and, in some cases, just more mystery. Spiritual and "life-philosophy" discoveries abound. Investments, finances, debt, major health actions, and sexual intimacy or bonding rise in the weeks ahead. You'll need to make firm decisions - let logic and intuition flow calmly together. DON'T act when you're excited or stressed. Sunday's mellow. Your ambition gears up Monday/Tuesday - act Tuesday. Social delights, joy about your future come Wednesday/Thursday. Retreat to rest, think and plan Saturday. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 All week, relationships excite, make you think, and open doors to opportunity. Others could oppose you, so be diplomatic, generous and put on your winning charm. You're going to be entwined more and more, now through 2010, in financial, business, research, closed door, and sexual/intimate dealings with others. Legal, educational, international, media and travel matters work well this week, especially Tuesday. (Monday shows an obstacle.) Be ambitious Wednesday/Thursday - superb results come, now or later! Take it easy Friday night, drive carefully. A wish comes true Saturday - social joys, optimism arrive! Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Work's your biggest focus. Tackle tasks, seek employment, buy machinery, etc. Your sexual nature remains high. You're still attracted to a "new" financial step, too. For some, these will combine in a deepening relationship. Tuesday stands out luckily. Sweet threads of affection and luck wind through business and love relationships all week, especially Wednesday/Thursday - these could grow larger through March. Remember - you're the luckiest person right now, and you should act so when negotiating, dealing with others. (Even that home upheaval is lucky - you'll see, later!) Ambition succeeds Saturday. Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Love lives! At the very least, beauty, pleasure, and thoughts of risk and romance waft through your days. Relationships grow serious Monday, lucky, productive Tuesday. Midweek promotes intimacy, commitment, and fortunate consequences, especially Thursday. A more gentle attraction/mellowness arises Saturday (the 31st). All January has promoted a significant relationship "beginning" - this week brings the best of it. These influences also aid you in business and finances - opportunities and disagreements Sunday/Monday, agreements Tuesday, investments or financial coups midweek (Thursday best!) and legal signatures, lucky advertising, good relations Saturday. Life's good! Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Home, family, nurturing, nature, food, shelter, recuperation and blissful rest - these draw you, benefit you. You might find that an "orphan" enters your life, figuratively or literally. For the seven years ahead, "adopting" will bring you the deep pleasure of goodness and the joys of sharing hearts. You tough business types might mentor someone younger. Tackle chores Monday (mildly frustrating) and Tuesday (successful). Relationships need some diplomacy Wednesday, but surge into opportunity and luck Thursday! Invest, research, visit a lover or psychic Saturday -- mysteries hold inspiration and fulfillment. Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Mars is prompting significant romance, so nudge someone, create a reaction! Sunday night to Tuesday are powerfully romantic, but love's path is "impeded" through Monday dawn, then "strewn with marbles" Monday night. Tuesday's best - and deeply powerful! Tackle chores Wednesday to Friday. Success awaits you Thursday - you could find new employment, be promoted, impress a boss powerfully, make a friend of a VIP, etc. Charge ahead this day! Take care Friday night - abruptness rules. Relationships flow sweetly Saturday - business and love opportunities abound! All week, home's sweet, family's affectionate. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Chase money now through late February. The last seven years sent "shocks" through your income situation. This made you more creative -or more talkative/friendly - about money. These - creativity, communication - should help grow your income through July. (You're communicating about everything this week - this could create a new friend!) You continue to make definite changes in your life, cutting some ties, strengthening others. A different home/children/property trend is starting - this faces obstacles Sunday/Monday, but meets success Tuesday - act then! Romance, beauty arrive midweek. You tackle chores with great success Saturday. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Your energy, charisma, timing and effectiveness continue high. Start important projects, seek favors - but stop short of displaying your skills. This is a year when you should avoid trying to cultivate the attention of higher-ups, should avoid prestige and related ambitions. Instead, aim your efforts toward real estate, security, family - here, profits await! (Grab this luck Thursday.) Sell a business rather than start one. Money's favored this week and next. You'll hear secrets, grab "rare" information. Start a trip or communication project Tuesday. Romance, beauty and charming kids Saturday! Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Your energy's low, but your attractiveness rides a subtle wave higher. Gentle people approach, wonder if you'll join them. Remember that all your 2004 luck comes from others, from links and bonds. Money continues to flow swiftly - bank it, don't spend. Solve money problems Monday; chase money success Tuesday. Dive into short trips, errands, paperwork, friends and details Wednesday/Thursday. You could make a new friend (the "let's exchange confidences" type) or start a short trip - or a short conversation - that takes you directly to beauty - perhaps directly to love! www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-261-1337. /30/